LANCE Armstrong is stepping down as chairman of his Livestrong charity so the group can focus on its mission, fighting cancer, instead of the doping allegations surrounding the former cycling champion.

The move came a week after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency released their damning report detailing accusations of widespread doping by Armstrong and his teams when he won the Tour de France seven consecutive times from 1999 to 2005.

The document showed why USADA has banned him from cycling for life and ordered 14 years of his career results erased — including the Tour titles. It contains sworn statements from 26 witnesses, including 11 former teammates.

Armstrong was not paid a salary as chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation amd will remain on its 15-member board, with his duties now being turned over to vice chairman, Jeff Garvey.

"This organization, its mission and its supporters are incredibly dear to my heart," Armstrong said in a statement via The Associated Press today. "Therefore, to spare the foundation any negative effects as a result of controversy surrounding my cycling career, I will conclude my chairmanship."

Livestrong has grown to become one of the world's best known charities with the yellow "Livestrong" bracelets selling more than 80 million around the world.

"As my cancer treatment was drawing to an end, I created a foundation to serve people affected by cancer,” added Armstrong. @It has been a great privilege to help grow it from a dream into an organization that today has served 2.5 million people and helped spur a cultural shift in how the world views cancer survivors.”

Armstrong refuses to accept the USADA allegations and weight of evidence, but has also refused to continue his legal battle - stating that he believes the entire process is unfair.

The decision to stand down came on the same day that Nike, one of Armstrong's main sponsors, announced that they had terminated his contract due to the "seemingly insurmountable evidence" stacked against him.

In a statement on their website today Nike said: "Due to the seemingly insurmountable evidence that Lance Armstrong participated in doping and misled Nike for more than a decade, it is with great sadness that we have terminated our contract with him. Nike does not condone the use of illegal performance enhancing drugs in any manner.

"Nike plans to continue support of the Livestrong initiatives created to unite, inspire and empower people affected by cancer."